PORTLAND RSL Memorial Bowling Club has unveiled what it says is the first stage of an ambitious plan to transform its Must St site into an international-standard venue for the sport – and the community.

The club has submitted a planning application with Glenelg Shire Council to build a shade structure over its main green, the $1.1 million project expected to provide cover from the elements and boost the participation rate in the sport.

The 47m by 41m roof, with 3.2m high beams, would fully enclose the green, allowing bowls to be played whatever the weather and also provide a large undercover venue for community functions.

A permit is needed because of the structure’s size and possible visual amenity impacts.

RSL Memorial documentation says Must St properties would look over the roofline.

The project had wide-ranging benefits.

“The all-weather environment will support the development of lawn bowls sport competition pathways for the Portland and surrounding community as well as providing a safe and accessible venue for wider community programming and come and try social or learner development opportunities,” the documentation says.

“The UV design of the roof structure allows for moderation of temperatures in both extreme summer heat and through cold winter days.

“The roof also provides a more secure location with greater restriction on overlooking into the green from Must St in the night-time and provides a much greater scope of use times with no light spill into neighbouring properties from evening use during winter.”

It was expected to improve playing time by 20 per cent “and to have a significant impact on participant comfort”.

A roof would also remove the main issue with the synthetic green, built in 2015, that of heat absorption on its surface from direct sunlight.

The proposal is expected to provide about 16 jobs during construction and need a further seven fulltime equivalent staff to cater for the increased demand after it is completed.

Board member, bowls co-ordinator and project lead Dean Beckman said bowls was booming around Australia, with new formats to attract younger people as well as good facilities.

“We’re probably a little bit slower to catch up down here,” he said.

“But this is stage one of what we want to do, to build a world-class facility for bowls and the best facility in the Western District.”

Other bowls clubs that had built cover over their greens had seen at least a doubling in membership and in some cases even five times as many.

RSL Memorial’s new deck extension, which overlooks the main green, had seen a 10 per cent increase in numbers.

At present the club has 118 competitive bowlers, 90 social bowlers, 1008 social members and about 2500 people using the wider facility each week.

A survey of the community and club visitors found 75 per cent saying they would increase their use of the facility if the roof was built.

Board chairwoman Meredith Fredericks said the club had already seen the benefits of providing more cover for patrons through the deck over the summer.

“We had lots of staff parties and other parties, people came in and they bowled and ate on the deck, and they can come any time of the year,” she said.

“This (roof) will make it a family friendly place for Portlanders.

“We also have lots of all-abilities days, we had one (last week) and it’s just so much better with the cover.”

Board member Bruce Elijah said it was planned to involve Kyeema, Portland Bay School and the region’s other schools more, with the ability to play bowls in winter without fear of cancellation.

“That’s also one of the benefits we see as a great benefit,” he said.

Bowls president Trevor Wynniat said the deck had already brought new members, and he expected that the roof would have a similar effect to elsewhere.

“You can see the benefits at the City Memorial (Bowls Club) in Warrnambool,” he said.

“They’re almost overwhelmed by people wanting to play there.

“I travel a lot around the country and you see roofs (over bowling greens) everywhere.

“With corporate events normally January and February is the only time we can hold them but hopefully we can run things all year round.

“It opens up a whole new world.”

Fellow board member Robyn McCabe said RSL Memorial’s new deck had also brought new members’ families along to the venue.

Ms Fredericks said it was hoped to start work on the roof “as soon as possible” after getting a permit, in which case it would be completed next year.

The club would take out a loan to finance the project.